Spacious as the Clear Blue Sky: Resting in Boundless Freedom
“As I see it, there isn’t so much to do. Just be ordinary—put on our robes, eat your food, and pass the time doing nothing.”
Master Linji
Retreat Description
Imagine having a mind like the clear blue sky, knowing the sun of wisdom is shining by day, and the ever-changing moon reflecting at night. Our mindfulness practice guides us to cultivate solidity, freshness, stillness, clarity and spaciousness. On this retreat we will practice in an atmosphere of spaciousness, have periods of sitting, walking, deep relaxation, dharma talks, sharing and sky watching. We will rest in the poetry of the dharma to free ourselves from story, worry, and regret by stabilizing in the breath-body to deepen concentration. We will discover our own dharma doors to creatively focus on the vastness of the sky and notice our moment to moment experiences as passing clouds or flying birds.
There will be an opportunity to receive the 5 mindfulness trainings in a ceremony during the retreat. If you are interested, please let us know when you register.
We will rest in the poetry of the dharma, stabilize in the breath-body, and free ourselves from story, worry and regret.
The retreat will be lead by Dharma teacher Alexa Singer-Telles
Alexa began practicing in the tradition of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 1991, and co-founded River Oak Sangha in Redding that same year. In 2004 she was ordained into the Order of Interbeing, taking the 14 Mindfulness trainings to join the core community of this tradition. After five years in dharma teacher apprenticeship, Alexa received Lamp Transmission (teacher authorization) in 2014, from Thich Nhat Hanh in Plum Village. She continues to consult regularly with her teacher, dharmacharya Lyn Fine.
In addition to providing leadership and trainings at her sangha for 26 years, Alexa has led a variety of retreats throughout Northern California, including several in the context of Judaism and Buddhism. She is a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist, and also facilitates groups using Soul Collage, a joyful art process that helps tap into one’s inner wisdom and guidance.
Anchored in Awareness article by Alexa Singer-Telles.
Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 12, 6–8 pm MST
- Sitting, walking and guided meditations
- Sky watching
Saturday, Nov. 13, 7 am–7 pm MST With spacious breaks throughout the day
- Sitting, walking and guided meditations
- Dharma talk and writing exercise
- Touching the Earth
- Deep relaxation
- Dharma sharing
Sunday, Nov. 14, 7 am–3 pm MST With spacious breaks throughout the day
- Sitting meditation
- Transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings
- Q&A with Dharma teacher
- Tea ceremony and Dharma sharing
To Register:
To Pay:
The Retreat is entirely organized by Sangha volunteers all of the money collected for the retreat goes towards offering Dana (donation) to our teacher and to maintaining the online practice of the Sangha. The base cost of the retreat is $100 CDN. The retreat can either be paid for online or through etransfer (etransfer information will be forwarded by the registrar). If you are in a position to practice generosity and to give additional funds there is another link below. If you would like to join the retreat but do not have the funds please let our registrar know and they will seek a scholarship for you.
To pay for the retreat online:
https://wildrosesangha.ca/product/fall-2021-retreat/
To donate additional dana:
http://wildrosesangha.ca/donate
Questions?
Visit our FAQ section to learn more or
Feel free to come to our regular Monday night Sangha gatherings if you have additional questions